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Life has a funny way of giving back exactly what we put out. If you’re constantly searching for negatives—complaints, flaws, or reasons to feel disappointed—you’ll undoubtedly find them. That’s just how the mind works; it’s like a magnet for whatever you focus on. But here’s the flip side: when you make the conscious choice to look for the good, the small joys, and the silver linings, those start showing up, too. It’s not that life magically becomes perfect; it’s that you’re tuning into a frequency that helps you see the positive side of things. Whether it’s appreciating someone’s kind gesture or noticing how great the sunset looks tonight, those little moments can completely change the way you feel. So, here’s the question: where do you want to spend your energy? Life is short, and time is precious. Do you want to waste it digging for reasons to be upset, or do you want to use it to seek things that uplift you? This doesn’t mean ignoring real problems—it’s about focusing on what fuels you rather than drains you. Start small. Maybe tomorrow, just find one good thing in your day and really savour it. Before you know it, that habit of looking for the good will snowball, and you’ll see life in a brighter, more fulfilling way.  Have you ever been caught in a loop of negative thoughts, letting one bad moment define your entire day? It’s easy to feel overwhelmed when you feel stressed, angry, or sad, making it seem like they’re a permanent part of who you are. But here’s the liberating truth: you are not your thoughts, emotions, or experiences. You are the observer behind them. Think of your mind as a stage. Thoughts and emotions are like actors, each playing their role in the story of your life. But you? You’re not one of the actors. You’re sitting in the audience, watching the performance. This shift in perspective changes everything. Instead of embracing every thought or feeling, you can step back, observe, and decide how much attention each one deserves. Recognizing yourself as the observer helps you to detach from negativity. It doesn’t mean ignoring your thoughts or suppressing your emotions. Instead, it means seeing them for what they are: temporary visitors that don’t define you. For example, instead of thinking, I’m an anxious person, you can say, I can see I am anxious right now. This shift creates space between you and your feelings, allowing you to respond rather than react. This isn’t about disconnecting from life—it’s about engaging with it more fully. When you realize you’re not your thoughts, you stop being controlled by them. You no longer cling to the past or fear the future, and you find peace in the present moment. It’s like watching clouds drift across the sky. Some are light and fluffy, while others are dark and heavy, but all of them eventually pass. You remain constant, like the sky itself. To embody this idea, try a few simple practices. Pause when you feel overwhelmed and remind yourself,-I’m just noticing these thoughts. Visualize your emotions as leaves floating down a river, letting them pass without holding onto them. Or spend a few minutes each day meditating, focusing on your breath, and watching thoughts disappear. Understanding that you’re the observer-not your thoughts or emotions-frees you from the negativity. It lets you experience life with greater calm, clarity, and joy. So, the next time your mind feels like it’s running away with you, pause and remember: You are not your thoughts. You are the awareness behind them. You are free.  Have you ever felt a surge of anger, sadness, or anxiety, seemingly out of nowhere? It might be because of emotions you've tucked away deep in your unconscious mind. Our psyche has a natural defence mechanism designed to shield us from discomfort. When we experience painful emotions such as shame, fear, anger, or grief-we often suppress them, locking them in a kind of 'warehouse' in our unconscious. While this may provide temporary relief, those emotions don't disappear; they stay with us, waiting to be acknowledged. Unprocessed emotions have energy. They're alive in a sense, and they want to be expressed. They eventually rise to the surface if we continually refuse to confront them. Suppressed emotions can manifest in various ways, depending on factors like upbringing, environment, and mental health. For some, they may show up as chronic stress, physical ailments, or patterns of self-sabotage. For others, they may take the form of sudden emotional outbursts, anxiety, or feelings of being stuck. The more we suppress, the louder these emotions try to make themselves heard. Think of it as trying to keep a beach ball submerged in water- the harder you push it down, the stronger it bounces back up. Our emotions, especially the unpleasant ones, demand attention. They're not here to punish us; they're signals, asking us to process what we've experienced so we can heal and move forward. We all carry suppressed emotions. Life brings challenges, and no one escapes without pain. However, healing begins when we allow ourselves to feel, process, and release these emotions. This might mean sitting quietly with your feelings, journaling, or speaking to a trusted friend or therapist. Practices like mindfulness, meditation, or sound healing can also help create space for emotional release. The truth is that suppressed emotions only have power over us when they are neglected or unseen. By gently bringing them to light, we not only release their hold on our lives but also gain deeper insight into ourselves. This process isn't easy, but it's worth it. Facing our emotions, no matter how uncomfortable is one of the most courageous and liberating acts of self-care we can undertake.  We've all been there: you attend a motivational seminar, watch an inspiring video, or read a powerful book. You feel energized and ready to take on the world. 'This time', you tell yourself, 'I'm gonna make it happen.' But then, after a few days or weeks, that fire fades. Old habits creep back in, and suddenly, you're back where you started. What gives? The issue isn't your lack of willpower or effort-it's how your brain is wired. Deep down, your mind has a blueprint or programming that decides how you think, feel, and act. This programming is built from years of experience, beliefs, and habits. And one of the brain's/ego's top priorities? Keeping you safe. Unfortunately, safety often means sticking to what's familiar even if those familiar habits aren't helping you. For example, imagine you want to start a new fitness routine. After attending a motivational talk, you're excited to hit the gym every day. But if your internal blueprint includes thoughts like, "I always fail at sticking to a plan" or "Working out is too hard," those beliefs will eventually resurface. Motivation might help you take the first few steps, but without addressing the deeper programming, your brain will pull you back to what it knows: skipping workouts and staying in your comfort zone. So, how do you break this cycle? It starts with awareness. Take time to reflect on the beliefs and fears that might be holding you back. Journaling, meditating, or even talking it out with someone can help you pinpoint what's going on beneath it all. From there, focus on small, consistent actions that build new habits. Celebrate small wins, and be patient with yourself as you rewire your mindset. Motivation is great for getting started, but lasting change comes from reshaping how you think and act daily. It's not about flipping a switch; it's about rewiring the whole system. With time and effort, you can create a new blueprint that supports your goals and keeps you moving forward.  |
Annica JohanssonMy name is Annica Johansson and I am an Artist, Art Life Coach and a Sound Healer. I am writing about personal development, daily musings, spirituality and depicting mother nature's amazing beauty. Welcome! Categories
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